Even under the best circumstances in life, we all suffer psychological injuries to our self. These injuries from others can range from passive hurtful comments to intentional abusive assaults. The end result is that our sense of being a cohesive and secure self is threatened. We may begin to experience degrees of vulnerability and self-doubts, or of rage and desire for revenge. We may even feel as if we were ""falling apart."" In all cases these self-injuries chip away at our self-cohesion and self-esteem.

Grace for the Injured Self helps us to better understand the significance of these...